THE SPOOK OF THE THIRTEENTH LOCK
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THE SPOOK OF THE THIRTEENTH LOCK
BALCONYTV.COM 24/06/2008 PRESENTED BY TOM MILLETT The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock is music from Dublin, Ireland. Named after a poem about a haunted canal lock, the Spook plucks banjos and twangs guitars, he yelps and he drones and he sings songs about doomed revolutionaries, brave partisan, corrupt politicians and constant struggle. Live the Spook plays solo with guitar, banjo and effects or swells to a full band with bass, guitars, drums. The epnonymous debut album sees songs in the Irish folk tradition expanded into the realms of psych prog and post rock, channeling amongst other things, the diverse yet kindred spirits of Lift to Experience, 16 Horsepower, Thin Lizzy and The Chieftains. The Spook was begun in 2006 by Allen Blighe after the demise of his old band Holy Ghost Fathers, a Dublin based outfit who released 2 records on their own Microclique imprint. Seeking an outlet to combine a passion for traditional Irish forms along with modern day rootsier influences Blighe has crafted a space tinged Celtic Folk rock that is hauntingly beautiful. Aided by the Spook band and the able production of Enda Bates, the debut album shifts gear effortlessly from careening folk ballad to drone atmospherics to full on psychedelic rock. The band is completed by ex-Steerage members Donnchadh Hoey (guitar) and Brian O'Higgins (drums). The album's strong allegorical overtones bring to the surface themes of bitterness, disillusionment, national identity and loss of faith -- set against a richly imaginative historical background on songs like "The Hare" and "Pimlico". Elsewhere centre piece "The Partisan" finds it musical inspiration from Macedonian folk while remembering the Partisans of Italian folklore; and on the albums epic closing number "The Ragged Rock"; a twisted, jagged version of Sean Nós evolving into a Krautrock freat-out, eventually descending into a feedback soaked howl. A suitable ending for a dramatic journey. http://www.myspace.com/thespookofthethirteenthlock http://www.thirteenthlock.net Tune in again tomorrow!!!
YouTube | June 24, 2008
